Method and system for dissemination of paperless transaction receipts in non-networked environments

Abstract

Electronic transaction receipts in remote non-networked sales equipment are sent through infrared or radio frequency means to portable electronic devices such as personal digital assistants (PDA's) / smart cellular telephones that are in the possession of the consumer. These portable devices are possessed by the consumer and are in very close proximity to the POS device transmitting the information. Security procedures also verify the receiving device to avoid inadvertent transmissions and to provide addition security for the transmission. The information and records received by these portable devices may be stored and uploaded into other electronic media at the discretion of the consumer.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a method and system for distributing a paperless receipt to a purchaser following a commercial transaction and in particular to a method and system of distributing paperless receipts, providing a traceable record of a commercial transaction that occurs in diverse non-networked or remote environments. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Electronic transactions involving the transfer of money and pecuniary assets are common in our society today. Goods and services are also commonly purchased over the telephone or via the Internet using credit or debit accounts with electronic authorization. Retail vendors typically accept credit and debit cards, which are verified and authorized using electronic communications methods. Nearly every significant retail vendor accepts some form of credit or debit card as remuneration for goods or services. Transactions involving a credit or debit card account require authorization from the organizati...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] It is a second of the present invention to provide a method and system that will produce an electronic receipt at the completion of a commercial transaction between the consumer and vendor parties at the location of the transaction.

[0017] It is a fifth objective of the present invention to provide a method that will verify the identity of a consumer before transmitting transaction information to that consumer that is the party to the commercial transaction.

[0018] It is a sixth objective of the present invention to provide a method that can encrypt information transmitted by the vendor device to the consumer device to ensure protection and mutual validation of the transaction information.

[0021] Advantages gained by this art include material and labor cost savings as compared to generation of paper receipts, and convenience for both the purchaser and vendor.

Problems solved by technology

As technology advances, the cost of these devices is plummeting and even more widespread use is eminent.

Internet use is also skyrocketing with millions of new users logging on each year.

Secondly, the rise of unmanned and electronically capable Point-of-Sale (POS) machines in a great variety of locations including, airports, gas stations, travel rest stops, and elsewhere has similarly increased the demand for electronic payment.

However, these electronic payment forms are encumbered by a legacy brought forth by older forms of transactions: paper receipts.

Please note further that email receipts are less psychologically desirable for transactions, due to (a) the lack of pervasive email access while a person is conducting a remote POS transaction; (b) the delays which may accompany traditional email transactions, resulting in potential multi-minute gaps between the completion of a transaction and the acceptance of a receipt, and (c) the reluctance of users to widely share their email address due to concerns with being deluged with email “spam”.

Thus, emailed receipts for remote transactions mean that the purchaser will still normally walk away with no verifiable proof or documentation of transactions that just transpired.

Presently, most unmanned remote machines do not provide any type of receipt, and as such, the user is forced to manually document each transaction, and must later manually transfer that data to an expense accounting system.

However, this system does not provide protection against inadvertent transmissions nor does it provide confirmation to the user and vendor of the completion and accuracy of the transaction.

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